rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — The Canton Chamber of Commerce met on Thursday, April 7, at 8:30 a.m. at the chamber building on Main Street.
Those present included: Dean Vanderpool, Robyn Cummings, Jana Kaufman, Angela Townsend, Irene Madigan, Lauren Schoonover Preston, Janet Holmes, Frank Watson, Misty Machmer, Leon English, Crystal Salsman, Mary Beth Schoonover, Jonah Howe, Amy Seeley, Kim Bailey, Jennifer Jones, Rachel Heitzenrater and Eric Schoonover. Online briefly (due to AV issues) was Michael Smithers and Tami Bethune.
Introductions
Salsman reported upcoming events for the Endless Mountains Pregnancy Care Center. She noted the “Pound the Ground for Ultrasound” event on Memorial Day weekend. The next upcoming event is the June 22 annual Golf Tournament at the Towanda Golf Club.
For Shade Tree Commission, Preston noted an upcoming cleanup work bee at the arboretum. The event is Sunday, April 24, at 2 p.m. The Cub and Boy Scouts will be present to help. The other event she mentioned was on the 29th of April, where she will be attending Canton Elementary in honor of Arbor Day celebration and 150 years. Every year, she works with fourth graders and gives the school seedlings.
English reported that the barrels will be completed by the Garden Club by Easter.
For the borough, Seeley reported that she recently completed two grants that will benefit the town. The first is for a back up generator for the fire department. The second is a DCNR grant for the War Memorial Park’s outdoor restroom facility.
Tourism & Promotion Agency
For the Tourism & Promotion Agency, Cummings reported some projects throughout the agency (also in conjunction with the Endless Mountains Heritage Region) that are about completed. The first is the Digital Passport. She then reported the planned spring launch of the gravel bike route, which is about 405 miles long.
Next, she noted that the train murals are all completed and sent to the artist. She noted a planned spring/summer installation of the mural.
Finally, she reported that a regional “Farm to You” publication will be completed soon and noted that this publication may be used more than one year throughout Bradford County. It highlights local farmers and artisans.
Cummings concluded the report nothing that this last fourth quarter was “the best they’ve ever had.”
She also noted some recent burglary activity at the office and then how they won an award through the Valley’s Chamber Of Commerce, the Caring for our Communities Award for non-profits.
Chamber members are to make sure they get their events into the tourism agency for free promotion on their website.
Rialto
Mary Beth Schoonover noted some recent updates at the Rialto Theatre. The first, she noted that the new board, Rekindle, took ownership of the building at the beginning of the year. Then, she noted some upcoming events for the theatre.
The Rialto plans on showing Coda, hopefully a weekend in May.
Finally, she noted that the board hired Bethany Fulmer as a movie manager at the theatre.
Membership
Membership status for the Canton Chamber of Commerce is at 58 members. Applications can be found on the chamber’s website or through Seeley. Eric Schoonover encouraged people to send that paperwork in.
Buildings & Grounds
The buildings and grounds committee recently met and discussed renovations to the building says Watson.
A pre-work bee is scheduled for May 14 at 8 a.m.
On May 21, a work bee will take place to demo the inside of the building on the first floor at 8 a.m. Anyone is open to help on this project on this day.
Watson reported that the committee is currently working on grants to secure funding for ADA compliance needs, such as a front door and bathroom.
He also noted the discussion on making more access to the park next door, as well as expanding the concrete.
For the park, the committee discussed lighting for the west side of the building to shine on the park, as well as incorporating the fountain from Manley Bohlayer Farm into the park.
They are seeking someone to help with the design aspects on the park and making it bigger.
The park will also support a bike loop.
The chamber voted with Watson motioning to purchase lighting up to $500 material with Cummings seconding, and the motion carried. Schoonovers will donate the rest of the cost.
Canton Downtown Celebration
For the Canton Downtown Celebration report, Seeley noted 69 applications were sent out: 7 wineries, 8 food, 22 craft and 31 informational. So far, she has received 5 wineries and 2 craft returned to her.
Sponsorship letters are planned to be going out next week.
The committee has secured three acts for entertainment: Chasing Rabbits, the McNett Band and Logan Route.
They have also discussed a possible cornhole tournament fundraisers with the junior class at the high school as well as a hatchet throwing trailer from Williamsport.
Seeley noted that she applied for the road to be blocked down to the McCallum Manor to ensure that the Rialto will be used at the event.
Kaufman asked if there could be tents for games for children. The New Life Church is interested in setting up.
Mary Beth noted that the Rialto will be open that day, selling concessions and playing the chamber’s video on loop.
Car Show
For car show, Vanderpool reported the date of Friday, Aug. 5, from 5-7 p.m. in downtown Canton. Tentative vendors include Lions Club and the Moose. Bradford County Sanitation will provide a porti-hut. Shane Wilber is planned to be there on behalf of WGHL. Fliers for the event are being ordered. Prizes for the winners will come from Carquest, chamber and the Rialto. Chris Boggs will be asked to cover the event with drone footage.
Motorcycle Event
The Lions Club’s annual event is planned in conjunction with this year’s Pumpkin Festival, on Oct. 1 and 2. Watson noted that instead of utilizing the chamber building this year, he plans to use his building (the old DG location) with registration and meeting, camping and entertainment the first night’s evening. He is planning Van Wagner to attend again this year.
For the event, the riders will take their first loop around town. Saturday is planned with a 2-leg ride, with a break for lunch back in town in between. Sunday will be a self-guided ride with maps.
He noted that this event will be an AMA-sanctioned event with a Williamsport riding club he is a member of. New this year will be T-shirts given to participants. He is also planning to sell sponsorships this year.
Other news
For the Garden Club, English stressed the importance of new barrels throughout town, noting that the current ones are a falling apart and are a safety hazard. English will work with Seeley to find new, concrete ones to replace the old ones.
Cummings noted that the plans are in the works for a joint meeting with Troy Chamber of Commerce. The meeting is planned for the evening of Wednesday, July 6, at 5 p.m. at Alparon Park. The chamber is providing meats and asking participants to bring a dish to pass.
Kaufmann noted the upcoming Little League event, planned for April 30. The Opening Day of Little League will take place at New Life Church. T-ball games will take place from noon to 2 p.m. There will be 16 teams participating and sports photos taken at this event. She said they are hoping to make it an annual event.
The next Canton Chamber of Commerce meeting will be Thursday, May 5, at noon at the chamber building.